MN Bumpfest: What should mothers-to-be pack in their hospital bags? Chance to win a £50 voucher!NOW CLOSED

[MichelleMumsnet]

In the run up to BumpFest (which is going to be totally awesome by the way) we’re looking to get a better understanding of the experiences Mumsnetters have had around different issues surrounding childbirth.

We've seen from the many threads on the subject, that Mumsnetters have got packing a hospital bag down to a fine art. We’d like to hear what you think are the essentials, and what can actually be left in the shop.

What items did you pack the first time around which you later realised were completely unnecessary on the day? Did you find you overpacked your hospital bag when you were pregnant with your first PFB DC?

Everyone who adds their thoughts to this thread will be entered into a prize draw to win a £50 John Lewis voucher.

Thanks,

MNHQ

Maternity pads. I didn't pack enough as had only expected a one night stay in hospital. Big comfy pants too!

I think a lot of the hospital bag check-lists you come across are nonsense. Most people will be in and out within a very short time and will have someone with them who can bring in anything they've missed out or need more of.

My own essentials would include flip flops rather than slippers, which can also be worn in the shower. Lots of sanitary towels and big, cheap granny pants which can be thrown away, rather than disposable knickers. Also having lovely toiletries made me feel much better when I was feeling really grotty.

Sports bottle for drinking at any angle.

Hot crossed buns to eat instead of toast after delivery.

Oh and if you are going to take paper knickers try them in before you go, mine didn't fit so I had to wear these weird net type pants . Buy two sizes larger, I went one size larger and they were tiny.

Better still, listen to your friends and buy cheap real ones to chuck.

Also I bought extra long absorbent sanitary towels which everyone said would not be any good. They were fine. Used the mattress sized maternity ones for first couple of days for cushioning but after that the others were fine.

The most important thing is to stay hydrated during labour so take a sports bottle as you can get yourself in some funny positions which makes it difficult to drink from a glass!! I cannot stress enough to keep sipping fluids throughout as a dehydrated mummy to be can slow down labour!! Plus I ended up on a drip which was an almighty pain in the ......Ask the nice Midwifes to keep said bottle topped up with ice and water throughout :))

For mum to be,
Pyjamas, whatever you wish to give birth in, clothes for going home in, and wash stuff/towel. Thick Sanitary towels i found boots own brand to be the best Vaseline for lips to stop them cracking and drying out.

For baby 2 vests, 2 sleepsuits a cardy and a hat, a towel, a all in one coat, nappies.

I told DP exactly where more clothes were for me and the baby, should i need more incase of an emergency.

Chocolate, juice cartons and disposable pants. Plenty of maternity pads too. I also took my announcement cards and address book - was kept in for days after all of my births, so I used my time efficiently (though I know most folk thought I was mad).

Maternity towels, maternity towels and more maternity towels! Ooh did I mention maternity towels.

Dark nightie, pjs, massive comfy pants (five pack from Primark in three sizes bigger than I normally wear, bliss). Dark coloured towels, a big and a little one for the post labour shower. Lots of lovely smellies including lip balm, my lips were so dry after both labours.

Snacks, I was craving salty and sweet so ready salted crisps and Dairy milk, squash and mints for when the relatives arrive!

For baby I packed far too many vests and baby gros, I only used about three of each. I took two packets of wipes, probably used one. An nappies I took a whole newborn pack and used about one third.

Phone charger! When your supposed to be sleeping but can't at least you have the internet for company.

i overpacked my bag and most of the things never needed, but I think the list can differ form mum to mum as we all have different births and necessities. Here is my list:
Mum
2 nighties 1 nightie for giving birth, 1 nightie for breastfeeding after birth, 1 vest for pool birth
2 feeding bras/good support bra 2 black seamless bras
toiletries sample packs of shampoo, conditioner, toothpaste, toothbrush, small soap bar, bath sponge
dressing gown & slippers long cardigan, disposable slippers and flip flops
maternity sanitary towels (2 packs) 20 pads
paper pants are useful of large pants 4 pairs of full briefs
money for TV/ phone machine
flannels wet wipes
socks 2 pairs
lip salve
breast pads (15-20 for few days of stay) I'm planning to stay for 1 night so 5 pairs
hair band
drinks or snacks
plain base/baby oil for massage
big towel
my own pillow
my own birthing ball in case hospital ones are all in use
t-shirt and joggers to wear in hospital
intimate wipes
paracetamol
make up
phone/phone charger

Baby
disposable nappies (at least 12)
cotton wool (pleats)
6 Babygro suits 3 in newborn size, 3 in 0-3 months size
6 Vests 3 in newborn size, 3 in 0-3 months size
2 hats
Scratch mittens 1 pair
cardingan
shawl or similar warm outer clothing for going home in blanket
muslin cloths/bibs I will be using 2-3 small towels instead
socks

In the end I didnt need that many baby outifts, I needed lotsof wipes though, never needed pillow, birthing ball, breast pads, dressing gown, intimate wipes, flannels, money, paracetamol, slippers, shampoo, conditioner, flannels.

In the hospital bag you need everything for baby-
Atleast 4 changes of clothes for baby and yourself , but make sure they are comfy(you never know how long you'll be there) scratch mitts, hat, snacks..etc etc

The general stuff you find on all baby bag lists. One thing I would say is lip balm!
I screamed and cried so much my lips we're majorly cracked. lol

Best advice I can offer is to have stuff divided up into what you need during labour, what you need immediately after and what baby needs immediately after.
After birth of my first midwife came in to get me cleaned up and asked if I had toothbrush toothpaste, shower gel towel etc. I literally had no idea where it was in my bag and DH was so overwhelmed after the whole thing and holding DD that neither of us were any help. Ended up using paper towels and water and I found everything later on! I second flip flops and ear plugs if you're a light sleeper.
Second time round everything was right at the top of the post-labour section for me which was much easier!

My own pillow, with super soft pillow case was so comforting during 42h of labour.

Agree with the lip balm too

Your phone!

Don't 'lose' it in labour like I did or you'll be bored witless in the hospital no MNing and no photos while you're there without visitors.

Don't expect your body yo ping back to shape as soon as you've had the baby. You'll still need maternity clothes or soft stretchy clothes for a few weeks. If you're having a c section bear in mind that "under bump" means " on the scar", so you may want to think about over bump trousers or a dress for going home.

A rubber ring to sit on in the car on the way home!

Cheap cotton knickers instead of disposables.
Ipod and speakers so you can listen to music during labour, I had a playlist!
Comfy clothes for the journey home.
Arnica tablets, seem to help bruising.
Lavender and tea tree oil for the bath I used each morning at home to help heal the stitches.

If I have another baby I will Definately buy reusable, thick, soft cotton, maternity pads. Hate the nasty plasticky disposable pads.

I downloaded comedy and dramas from BBC radio iplayer. These were great as could just close my eyes to rest as much as I could and listen.

Essential : The softest toilet paper money can buy.

Sports bottles of water, towel to soak in water and tie to the bed so you can cool down on postnatal wards. Food - the hospital food was decent even if there wasn't the fabled toast, but not always right when wanted.

Large soft pants to hold maternity pants in place - raid your partner's drawer and use those ancient holey boxers you'd like them to chuck out.

My hospital was clean and I just put my clothes back on when I left - it was too hot before that.

I barely used anything from my hospital bag. However I used all the maternity pads and then some. Take more than one pack!

Snacks were utterly pointless - I was far too busy pushing or vomiting.

I didn't bring enough babygros or vests for DD1, who was a very possety pooey baby. DH had to bring reinforcements.

Pack your own outfit for going home. It never crossed my mind on ds1, so was left to DH to bring something when he picked us up.

He brought a summer skirt and black socks. It was January and I couldn't remember when I last shaved my legs!

A good supportive feeding bra is an absolute must have. It will make first time feeding sessions in hospital easier and help to support engorged breasts

Everything for you in dark colours to avoid blood stains showing! Dark towel, pants, pjs/nightie. Huge pants and tons of pads - don't buy maternity pads, just get normal San pro in super absorbent, they have wings for secure fastening to aforementioned massive pants, maternity pads (at least the ones I had) do not. I had a c section and any pressure on your wound for the first week or so is unbearable.

I also agree that hospital food is not great, and most importantly, not served at 3am when you are awake - take nice snacks and drinks. Bendy straws in case you are stuck on your back.

Someone above suggested a change of clothes for dp, I second that, maternity wards are so hot, dp is sweaty at the best of times!

Lots of cartons of juice, and dry shampoo. Those made me happier.

I actually packed 2 bags. One had everything I needed for a short stay in hospital. Basically in case I was lucky enough to be discharged 6 hours post delivery.

It had :
Change of clothes for me
2 pairs of huge knickers.
5 maternity pads,
6breastpad totally not needed
2 baby vests, baby grows and bibs.
5 nappies and nappy wipes really don't waste your time with cotton wool swabs they're pointless
Small bottle of formula milk in case I couldn't breastfeed.
Alco gel
Wet wipes
Flannel
Towel
Mixture of quick energy release snacks (chocolate) and slower release snacks (Oatbars)
Small shower gel, shampoo conditioner
Flip flops
Dressing gown
Phones with chargers
Fully charged camera
Nice drinks

I then had pre packed in the car in case things didn't go to plan (and was so glad I did as I was in 5 days) another larger bag containing all of the above in larger quantities.
One thing I was so glad to pack though the midwives were a bit lecturey saying I shouldn't have was my own paracetamol and ibuprofen. (I couldn't breastfeed so no worries about taking them)
I was glad I did as drug rounds were every 6 hours so If I didn't request pain relief and went to the midwife 2 hours later for some, they were so manic and busy they forgot so It would then be 12 hours+ in between pain relief having my own little stash helped but every time I told them I'd taken my own they moaned.